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craigoscarsonSince this was such a hot topic last spring, I think discussing it now in the light of BYUs success with JT playing sparingly and Hartsock starting is quite appropriate.
What we know now:
This team is better than last years without JT starting and without Lee on the team (not because he's gone) - even if our schedule is weaker, we're not playing anyone close; we're outclassing nearly everyone (utah state in logan with emery hurt and jt going 1 for 11 aside)
JT has not improved as a senior, nor has his experience with the Brazilian team made him more valuable to us. He however is still valuable and has found ways to contribute to this team off the bench... we still need JT, let's make that very clear.
We have plenty of depth, in spite of the many of the insinuations in that thread that depth would be our demise... in fact, it's our greatest strength. Even when Jimmer and JT struggled with shooting (other than USU) we found ways to win and usually win big.
That inserting Noah Hartsock as the 4 would change nearly everything about how this team plays, especially in the paint and on defense. We're blowing opponents out at a rate we've never seen here; and even on the road.... that decision completely changed the face of this team.
What's surprised most of us:
Tyler Haws is so damn good (so early)- he's the ice man
Jackson Emery would start hitting his outside shots at a staggering rate, and improve on his great defense
That BYU would be so successful with JT and Charle Abouo getting much less than the minutes we expected from them
That we'd be blowing out our opponents with such proclivity
real reaches from that thread: (all reasons to celebrate that we can be wrong considering the success of this team, and the incredible depth that we have)
Hartsock, one of 4 mediocre big men who may not be Div. I material, played a decent overall game with very limited minutes.
Jonathan could get a $700K/year, 3-year deal in Italy easy. A bit less if he wants to play in South America. More than 99% of you, that's for sure.
If he comes back next year, BYU won't skip a beat graduating overrated, big-game losing Cummard, who couldn't score in a tight game down the stretch to save his life. We would be heavily favored to win the MWC Championship (regular season, of course) and go back to the NCAA Tourny.
If JT leaves, BYU might not be in the Top 3 of the MWC, and could struggle to make the NIT.
So let me say about Hartsock then, if you were so offended: He wasn't up to MWC standards last year, not even close. He averaged, what, 4 minutes and 2 points a game? He was a nobody. Hopefully a year changes that. But he'll never be a PAC-10 level talent.
Hartsock's not that good. He is no Miles, who is no Plaisted, who was no Araujo, that's for sure. He wasn't even as good as Anderson or MacGregor last year, who both fit in that same spot at the bottom of the not-good-enough totem pole.
There is definite talent on our bench, but far from enough to be able to nullify losing our top 2 scorers (Cummard and JT). Honestly, if you think that Hartsock, Abouo, and a couple freshmen can make up for Cummard and JT, then I'm not even sure this is worth arguing.
If we keep JT and some of our bench players can actually see more playing time next year... then they will be ready to start and really do things in the 2010-2011 season. As for this upcoming season, I see them as playing key supportive roles at best.
Abou and Hartsock were "athletic" back-ups on a team that desperately needed a good big man in a conference that had a huge lack of talented big men.
Abou: 2.9 Points/Game, 1.9 Rebounds/Game, 22 Assists, 3 Blocks, 9 Steals.
Hartsock: 2.4 Points/Game, 2.3 Rebounds/Game, 14 Assists, 15 Blocks, 6 Steals.
Tavernari: 15.7 Points/Game, 7.2 Rebounds/Game, 44 Assists, 11 Blocks, 49 Steals.
Abou=Garbage last year, not D-I material.
Hartsock=Garbage last year, not D-I material.
Tavernari=Best Player on the team.